Job Description

Unity Health Toronto


Unity Health Toronto is a leading hospital network in Toronto with a legacy of providing compassionate, excellent care to our communities. Our organization, which includes St. Joseph's Health Centre, St. Michael's Hospital and Providence Healthcare, serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care while investing in worldclass research and education.


Do you have the skill and drive to join us in our mission of providing best care experiences, created together?


Communications and Public Affairs Team


The Communications and Public Affairs team is a group of communicators, media and social media advisors, web programmers, photographers and graphic designers. We're also a fun, collaborative group of individuals who support each other in our work and are always ready to pitch in to help a colleague. Together, the team is responsible for reputation management, internal and external communications, issues and crisis communications management, branding, media relations, digital media, government and stakeholder relations and community engagement. The department also works collaboratively with the network's two foundations.


Manager, Media and Content Strategy



The Manager of Media and Content Strategy is a thought leader who is an integral part of the Communications and Public Affairs team. We are looking for an experienced, creative and motivated person to strengthen our brand and reputation by steering our integrated media relations and content strategy.



Reporting to the Director of Media and External Communications, you will act as an essential member of the Communications and Public Affairs department's management team, a skilled media relations advisor and tactician, steer our content strategy and editorial calendar and directly manage a group of social media and visual storytellers.



Duties and Responsibilities:



Media Relations:

Responsible for the development and integration of media relations strategies across the network to support the network's strategic goals; Fosters a positive relationship with journalists, responds to inquiries in a timely manner and keeps abreast of new developments and events that could potentially impact the network's reputation or present new opportunities; Develops and implements focused media communication plans for major programs, initiatives and projects within specific portfolios that support network's brand and strategic priorities; Uses critical thinking and news judgement to find new opportunities to amplify the network's brand and reputation through storytelling, media pitches and amplification of subject matter experts; Works with network staff and key stakeholders to identify and develop specific media strategies including press releases, exclusive media pitches, and other tactics to introduce subject matter experts and programs to new audiences; Works with clinical leadership to coordinate on-site media opportunities while managing patient privacy, security and other priorities; Advises staff, physicians, researchers, patients and other appropriate stakeholders to facilitate advocacy, thought leadership and other opportunities that strengthen the network's brand and strategic goals. Designs and/or implements ongoing feedback mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of media strategies;

Content Strategy:

Accountable for assigning and/or managing the flow of internal and external content such as web stories, social media content, photography, video and other materials. Accountable for the creation and management of the department's editorial calendar with the objective of strengthening the network's brand and profile in alignment with strategic priorities; Reviews and edits communications materials including external e-newsletters, web stories, social media posts, video content and other external communications tactics, ensuring high quality writing, visuals, accuracy and consistent use of appropriate style guides. Finds ways to support and grow audiences and the impact of the network's external communications channels; Implements ongoing feedback mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of our content strategy in alignment with annual targets and strategic goals. Oversees the continuous improvement work to strengthen and enhance the network's external communications channels, including monitoring progress, obtaining regular feedback, developing and implementing recommendations for improvements and keeping up-to-date with best practices. Responsible for acting as a direct manager to a Communications Advisor (Social Media and Content Strategy) and Photographers/Videographers. Responsible for coaching and mentoring Communications Advisors and guiding their growth as writers, content producers and building strong relationships with stakeholders.

Skills and Qualifications:

Over Ten (10) years of communications or journalism experience required with two (2) years management experience or equivalent preferred Experience working in a healthcare environment preferred with demonstrated experience communicating complex issues to the public Direct experience editing and shaping written materials such as news stories, features, press releases, opinion pieces and other relevant materials required Direct experience as an assignment editor or editorial content manager, helping to manage workflow, deadlines and a content calendar for a team required Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to take complex/clinical information and quickly translate it to clear and concise messages to reach varying audiences required Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills required Excellent organizational, time management and critical thinking skills with the ability to use good judgment for assessing and responding to difficult situation required Demonstrated effectiveness in the areas of reputational management and crisis communications an asset Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage the sensitivity of projects/events/issues Results oriented with the ability to work in a self-directed and independent manner required Proven ability to mentor and coach staff to grow in their careers required Demonstrated ability to build strategic relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including executives and leaders required Ability to synthesize complex/sensitive material in order to craft persuasive recommendations and communications materials required Ability to work effectively across all levels of the network and work well under pressure required Ability to act as the Communications & Public Affairs representative on a rotational basis after hours required Ability to work and travel between all network sites required

Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.


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